Taunton's For Pros By Pros Wiring a House
Learning how to Wire a House from the Pros
A complete, no-nonsense guide to safe residential electrical wiring. First published in 1996, this critically acclaimed reference is revised to account for changes made in the electrical code. Master electrician and home wiring veteran Rex Cauldwell gives you the benefits of his professional expertise along with tips and tricks he's picked up from over 20 years on the job. Recognized as one of the most knowledgeable practical electricians in the country, Cauldwell takes the mystery out of every aspect of wiring a house, from wiring a panel to installing a light switch.
Writing with a keen attention to safety, Cauldwell's "code-plus" approach to home wiring shows you how to choose the best tools and materials, which materials to avoid, and how to wire any room. You'll learn how to install main and sub service panels, receptacles, GFCIs, simple-to-complex fixtures, and every type of appliance. You'll also find out how to ground a house properly, how to run wire in existing walls with minimal damage, and how to meet and beat national code requirements. New material covers home generators, lightning protection, and wiring "above code." An essential reference for everyone associated with residential construction. 256 pp.
Taunton's For Pros By Pros Wiring a House - Table of Contents:
- Preface to the Revised Edition Introduction
- The Basics How Electricity Flows
- Anatomy of a Residential Electrical System
- Wire Gauges
- The Wire We Use
- Conduit Systems
- Tools of the Trade General Tools
- AC-Powered Tools
- Cordless Tools
- Specialized Tools
- Safety Equipment
- The Service Entrance Choosing a Buried or an Aerial Service
- Calculating Amperage and Choosing Cable
- Local Requirements
- Locating the Meter Base
- Buried Service Entrance
- Aerial Service Entrance
- Connecting the Meter Base to the Panel
- Panels and Subpanels Elements of the Main Panel
- Picking a Panel
- Mounting a Panel
- Cable Management
- Bringing Cables into the Panel
- Subpanels
- Balancing the Load
- The Art of Grounding Definition of a Grounding System
- Protection through Grounding
- Choosing the Proper Grounding Materials
- Installing a Low-Resistance Panel-to-Earth Grounding System
- What Needs Grounding
- Wiring Room by Room Stocking Up
- Design Considerations and Outlet Box Locations
- Pulling Cable in New Construction
- Routing Wires in Renovation Work
- Fuses and Circuit Breakers Fuses
- Circuit Breakers
- Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters How a GFCI Works
- Types of GFCIs
- Where Ground-Fault Protection Is Required
- Wiring GFCI Receptacles
- Wiring GFCI Circuit Breakers
- Testing GFCIs
- Arc-Fault Circuit Breakers
- Wiring AFCIs
- Receptacles and Boxes Receptacle Boxes
- Receptacles
- Polarity
- Wiring and Installation
- Switches Switch Boxes
- Switch Grades
- Types of Switches
- Light Dimmers
- Fan Speed Controls
- Wiring Fixtures Choosing the Right Box
- Incandescent Lights
- Fluorescent Lights
- Ceiling Fans
- Smoke Detectors
- Track Lighting
- Outdoor Light Fixtures
- Recessed Lights
- Wiring Appliances Kitchen Appliances
- Baseboard Heaters
- Electric Wall Heaters
- Utility-Room Appliances
- Garage-Door Openers
- Submersible Pumps
- Whirlpool Tubs and Spas
- Lightning and Surge Protection Induced Voltage
- Direct Strikes
- Utility and In-House Surge Creators
- Adding Surge Protection
- Phone and Coaxial Cable Protection
- Protecting Pumps
- Standby Generators History of Incorrect Connections
- Picking a Generator
- Installing the Transfer Switch
- Index